Constructed in just three weeks, Bleu is a simple but memorable exploration in space and colour.
The interior comprised compressed fibre cement sheets and timber panels painted a single colour; the lighting creates different shades of blue on each section of the interior, depending on its angle from the source.
Straight-cut sheets of Neoflex rubber rise from the floor, and form the borders of each seat.
The entire room is a freestanding structure within the marquee, even the ceiling constructed within the surrounding tent.
IN BRIEF
Design a marquee for the Victoria Racing Club for the 2010 Spring Racing Carnival at Flemington Racecourse. While temporary in nature, create an experience with a lasting impact on visitors.
ARCHITECT’S WORDS
The fitout borrows forms from extruded geometry, with a design saturated with a single colour: ‘wing commander blue’ from the Dulux range. MC Reflective and matte surfaces create contrast within the limited colour palette, creating a striking and vibrant spatial experience.
The design explores volume, colour and inversion. A restrained volumetric approach uses lightweight materials to create a strong sense of depth and mass. The ‘less-is-more’ attitude toward colour, saturation and materiality is simple yet creates immediate impact.
The project provided a platform to create an ‘experience’ through the building design. It contributes in testing new ideas within the framework of our office and highlights how simple form and shapes as well as colour saturation can work in quickly and successfully engaging the user.
Vivid colour and simple materials were key to achieving sharp, clean lines. Cool hues set the tone with intense blue wrapping the ceiling and walls creating a space saturated in colour. One blue creates a spectrum of blue throughout the space depending on the way the light falls on the surface.
ACCOLADES
• Dulux Colour Awards, Commercial Interior 2011
Comments: This exemplifies the use of a single colour to give impact and serenity to a temporary entertainment space.
• Interior Design Awards, Colour In Commercial Design, (Shortlist) 2011
Jury Citation: This is a bold and completely saturated statement of colour, a pure approach that uses sculptural form to vary the shade of the colour blue. Clever use of light creates reflection and zones of light and shade on the interior surfaces, resulting in a creative and powerful space.
PRODUCTS
WALLS
LVL TIMBER BEAMS
MANUFACTURED TIMBER PANEL
ANNODIZED ALUMINIUM
BLUR NEO FLEX
PAINT INTERNAL
DULUX
FLOORING
CONCRETE, COMPRESSED FIBRE CEMENT
LIGHTING
HERBERT & MASON
